PALACE GAME: Round 3

[cultfavorite]

You open your eyes—

You're standing in the vast lobby of a corporate building, facing the reception desk, where a Team Galactic Grunt is stationed—she's currently on the phone, though, and occupied. A few other grunts move through the lobby, looking as if they're on their way to their next assignment. All of them look identical. And if you watch their paths for a while, none of them actually end up leaving the room.

The walls are a bright, metallic, sterile blue with white, and the floor is made up of gleaming silver metal tiles emblazoned here and there with a gold logo. The reception desk is slightly to your right, and to the left of that there are three doors in the far wall in front of you.

To the right of the reception desk, there's a little area with a vending machine, a large ottoman to sit on, a potted plant, and . . . a dotaku? With a face? It's sitting resting on the floor next to the vending machine, and it's staring right at you with those red eyes.

Directly to your right, closer to the front door, there is a glowing green circle on the floor with a sign on the wall next to it.

What will you d—

Wait. Your phone is buzzing. Whether or not you had it with you back in the prison, you do now, whether in your pocket, in your hand, whatever. It's on your person, and it's vibrating demandingly for attention. If you choose to ignore it, a mechanical voice emanating from it begins literally saying the word buzz! buzzzzzz! buuuzzzzzz! in an increasingly irritated tone.

Check your phone?

Comments

[cultfavorite]

The gatekeeper looks sheepish, if still a bit dubious. "I apologize. I really didn't think you would be on the list of allowable Pokemon into our park, but I shouldn't judge so quickly. You are on the list. It says right here that it's cute when you act innocent and pure even though you wield such a powerful weapon."

She gives you a look as if she's still not quite sure of that herself. But she does wave you into the park.

"Please, go right ahead."

[terribletwos]

[Makes a confused face as if he's not sure if he should be insulted. But it means he can go inside so...]

Thanks....

[Into the park...]

[cultfavorite]

The park from the inside is just as lovely as it was from the outside. The manicured lawns are spotless despite the volume of people strolling through the area with their Pokemon at their sides. As one might expect from the entry process, all of these people look extremely respectable, and all of the Pokemon with them are small and cute. You're not going to find Garchomp here, sorry. Everything looks like it might be Baby's First Pokemon; some of them literally are, as evidenced by the fact that they're toddling along with actual toddlers and their parents.

It's a park. There's not much to do other than take a stroll. There is a large stone fountain in the middle of the park, its carved marble tiers streaming gorgeously with . . . blood?

[terribletwos]

[Gets over his previous confusion to enjoy the new scenery, especially marveling at all the new pokemon milling about. They're much more charming than the ones he's seen in the prison.

But hmm, is that really blood? Holds a hand under the mouth.]

[cultfavorite]

Yep, that's blood all right. No one else seems to notice this or find it strange? This could be any fancy fountain sparkling in the sun amidst a perfectly designed public park, except it's blood. The pool around the base is blood, bubbling invitingly(?) to dip your toes in(???). The blood is drawn up back into the mechanism in the center to spill out again in a lovely cascade that makes a soothing, cool rushing sound.

Of blood!

When the blood touches your skin, you see—

Uncertain. Something. A vision flashes before your eyes of a dim and undefined area that could be a cave, or a vast room, or something else entirely; it's hard to see. There is the sensation of something watching you. And a form rises up in front of you, tall and imposing, impossible to make out except for the sense of many limbs and a spark of malice aimed directly at you . . .

The vision fades as quickly as it came upon you, leaving you back by the fountain.

[terribletwos]

[Stumbles back]

What was that?

[Okay, he WILL NOT be scrounging in this fountain.]

[cultfavorite]

Luckily for him, there are plenty of coins scattered around the base of it on the ground, too. 1500 worth! He could get more if he scrounged, but who would?

Rotoron speaks up:

What was what, laddie? The sound of precious metal clinking in your pocket?

[terribletwos]

No, there was a... a vision with a monster. It was huge and had all these limbs...

[cultfavorite]

Oh, really! Sounds like the Big Boss to me! Lucky you, sneaking a peek at what that thing really looks like. He doesn't often show it!

[terribletwos]

Big Boss is a Pokemon?

[cultfavorite]

In a sense! In the same sense you are, come to think of it.

[terribletwos]

So he's a Pokemon because this place wants him to be.

He doesn't look like a nice Pokemon.

[cultfavorite]

Nice? Maybe not! But I respect him. He knows what he wants! Unlike some people around here.

[terribletwos]

[Gathering up the coins finally]

What does he want?

[cultfavorite]

I'm sure he'll tell you himself when you find him. He never shuts up about it!

[terribletwos]

Right. Well, since I'm not sticking my hand in any more blood, I guess it's time to enter that contest you mentioned.

[cultfavorite]

Good thinking. Then head to the Super Contest Hall in the middle of town! You can't miss it. It'll be surrounded by crowds of gagglers.

[terribletwos]

[To the Super Contest Hall we go!]

[cultfavorite]

The amphitheater is impressive yet inviting, with an elegant and simple design meant to draw crowds. And it is doing just that: families with their children and Pokemon are heading up the stone walkway to push through the doors and into the building, chattering excitedly. You can make out snippets of conversation about ribbons and performances and beautiful.

[terribletwos]

... Wait, is this a dress-up contest?

[cultfavorite]

Geheheh! It sure is! Not only that, though. It's a whole performance!

[terribletwos]

Like singing and dancing?

[cultfavorite]

If that's what you want to do! It's your choice. These are Pokemon Contests, though, and for the most part, you're expected to show off your Pokemon's moves!

[terribletwos]

Oh, like a demonstration? I can do that.